IT Projects
Jun. 10, 2010
Without question, my least favorite word in the English language is usually “no.” In this post, I’ll tell you why not all “no’s” are created equal.
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May. 06, 2010
Why are so many organizations reluctant to implement new technologies? Why do organizations often take a “wait and see” approach?
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Apr. 27, 2010
My friend Dylan Jones has posted interview in which I discuss data issues in the context of my first book, Why New Systems Fail.
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Apr. 21, 2010
My friend and fellow author William McKnight has posted interview in which I discuss my first book, Why New Systems Fail.
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Mar. 02, 2010
The book trailer for Why New Systems Fail is now up. Click on the short video to see a brief description of the next edition of the book.
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Feb. 17, 2010
Microsoft, social networking, the IT-Business chasm, and Google Wave are just a few highlights from the blogosphere this week. I also have to recommend an incredible book about tennis.
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Feb. 09, 2010
Technology Today #14: Andy Kaufman on The Dirty Little Secret in Business
IT Projects, Project Management, Social Media, Technology Today
Andy Kaufman shares “The Dirty Little Secret of Business.” You won’t learn this secret in school, yet it is critical to your success. The secret is simple—it’s all about relationships. Andy describes the key relationships you must develop to advance your projects and career.
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Jan. 25, 2010
Technology Today #11: Mitigating IT Project Risk with Craig Stephens
IT Project Failures, IT Projects, Software, Technology Today
A few months ago, ERP software vendor Epicor announced an interesting program designed to help its clients avoid IT project failure. The “Shared Benefits” program takes an innovative approach to addressing problems endemic to many IT projects. In this podcast, Craig Stephens (VP of Servies at Epicor) discusses the impetus and mechanics of the program.
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Jan. 13, 2010
Why don’t people just fess up when caught? I like to think that we live in a forgiving society. While coming clean is laudable, it’s hard for me to get over apologies laden with disclaimers and excuses. I understand the need to save face, but providing excuses only rubs salt in the wound and minimizes any benefit of the doubt that others will grant you.
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Jan. 11, 2010
What are the often overlooked risks facing organizations that rely on non-employees? If an organization’s goal is to minimize short-term cost savings, then it’s hard for me to argue against using consultants. Cost aside, contractors and temps have no employment contracts and we’re generally not covered by US labor laws.
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Nov. 30, 2009
I’ll never understand how people can be remotely comfortable not knowing how essential features, reports, and the like work when they will be responsible for them in one month’s time. Perhaps Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree says it best: “Denial is a better way of getting through another day.”
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Nov. 13, 2009
Most people realize that IT projects are rarely perfect. If behind on a key project, don’t hold out for each and every bell and whistle promised from the beginning. Consider dropping non-essential features for the good of the project and the organization.
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Nov. 10, 2009
As much as I love Rush, I’m not silly enough to think that the band’s virtuoso drummer and lyrical genius Neil Peart ever penned even one song directly about databases, project management, and organizational change. While Rush has addressed technology in songs such as Virtuality and Digital Man, the band has tended to write about matters more existential, visceral, political, or social in nature. Fortunately, Peart’s lyrics are profound enough to allow for multiple interpretations, even by an obsessive-compulsive Rush fan.
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Oct. 13, 2009
A “blog bout” is a good-natured debate between two bloggers. This blog bout is between my friend, Jim Harris, and me. In our first battle, we debate which board game is the better metaphor for an Information Technology (IT) project: Risk or Monopoly.
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Oct. 12, 2009
On my recent trip to Las Vegas, I was able to play a few amazing courses, including the TPC at Las Vegas. As is standard these days, I played very poorly. On the way home, I was tired, hurt, frustrated, and hungry. I started thinking about parallels between golf and IT projects.
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May. 29, 2009
Vendors that rely on local VARs to sell and implement products face challenges when they attempt to sell “upstream.” In this case, Sage should immediately attempt to forge some type of partnership among its vendors to facilitate successful X3 implementations. Clients whose implementations suffer from a lack of coordination among multiple VARs will serve as anything but a case study for future X3 engagements.
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Dec. 16, 2008
Hello World, as Tiger Woods told an eager room of reporters at a press conference in August of 1996. Yep, I’ll start out by comparing myself to probably the greatest golfer… Read the rest





